Phillis Wheatley

She loved Words

She Loved Words
} Phillis Wheatley was the first black woman in
America to publish a book. She had an
extraordinary literary talent. She especially
was a great poetry writer. It was said that She
loved words .
} Susanna Wheatley and her husband John, and
their own children all played a role in Phillis'
education. They taught her to read and write
and she studied Latin, Greek, English, Ancient
history, literature, and mythology

On being brought to America

The boat upon

which Phillis
Wheatley was
brought from
Africa to
America in
1761.
 When Phillis Wheatley was
about seven, slave traders
captured her and put her on
the ship Phillis. She sailed to
Boston where Susanna and
John Wheatley bought her as
a slave in 1761. They named
her Phillis, after the boat.
How did you come to be
such a great poet under
the burden of slavery?

I have to say I do owe

Mary Wheatley, Susanna
Wheatley s daughter,
much of my success. She
taught me how to read
and write. Besides, I was
only given light tasks as a
slave.
Childhood:
She was studying geography, Latin, Greek
mythology, science, and poetry. Her favorite subject
was definitely poetry.
She said that I remember that I loved poetry so
much that Susanna would put a piece of paper and
a quill pen next to my bed when I went to sleep,
should any ideas come to my mind. As I was
learning how to read and write, I got interested in
the bible and I read it with great eagerness.
Susanna saw this, and she brought me to the Old
South Church.
} The Old South Church in Boston
Phillis
s first book

Phillis was 12 she published

her first poem.
Susanna Wheatley used her
connections in England to get
Phillis' book published. It became
popular in England and soon it
became popular in America in the
Thirteen Colonies as well.
She was against slavery. Using her style of
poetry, she tried to persuade people that
African Americans are as much capable of
doing things as white men.
 Phillis
s letter to George
Washington

She wrote letters to important people such as the

Earl of Dartmouth, King George s secretary, and
even George Washington!
She said one journalist that George Washington
liked her poem and letter so much that he invited
her over to meet him!
Late life

Her family had 3 children. Sadly, all of them died.

Phillis married a free African- American man named John
Peters. They struggled financially, and two infants died at
birth.
Phillis' husband was sent to debtors' prison in 1784, after that
she left one infant.
Phillis Wheatley died at the age of 31, on December 5th, 1784.
Her son died a few hours later.
 TIME LINE OF IMPORTANT EVENTS
IN PHILLIS WHEATLEY
S LIFE

1761 - Slave traders capture Phillis Wheatley and ship her 1775 Writes A poem honoring General George
1754 - Phillis Wheatley is born in Senegal, Africa. 1772- Phillis
s first book is published in England
to Boston. Washington.

1778 Phillis is set free from

1778 Phillis Marries John
1784Peters
Phillis dies at age 31
slavery

Phillis Wheatley
 Monuments

The statue
made in Phillis
s honor

The
school
named
after
The boat Phillis
Phillis was
named after
Thanks for Watching J